Transforming Yourself with True Polymorph: A Deep Dive

Yes, you absolutely can transform yourself with the True Polymorph spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition! As long as you are a creature within range (typically within 30 feet), you become a valid target. However, the real question isn’t can you, but how, what are the limitations, and what are the juicy, game-changing possibilities that this powerful 9th-level spell unlocks? Buckle up, because we’re about to dive deep into the metamorphic rabbit hole.

The Raw Power of True Polymorph

True Polymorph stands apart from its lower-level cousin, Polymorph. The key difference lies in its versatility and potential permanence. While Polymorph restricts you to transforming into Beasts, True Polymorph opens the door to any creature or even an object. The only real limitation is the Challenge Rating (CR) of the creature you wish to become. You can transform yourself, another creature, or even an object into a creature of CR 9 or lower.

Creature into Creature: A World of Possibilities

Turning yourself into another creature offers immense strategic advantages. Imagine transforming into an Ancient Brass Dragon, gaining access to devastating breath weapons, formidable combat abilities, and even the power to Wish (if your DM allows RAW interpretation of Wish being on the spell list of the new creature). Or, perhaps a more subtle approach is needed. Transform into a creature with powerful skills to gain advantage on different checks.

The Object Transformation: Creativity Unleashed

Don’t underestimate the power of turning a creature into an object. While it requires concentration for an hour to become permanent, imagine turning a hostile giant into a harmless pebble.

The Permanence Factor: Immortality and Beyond?

The holy grail of True Polymorph is achieving permanence. By concentrating on the spell for the full hour, the transformation becomes permanent – unless the target is a shapechanger. This leads to interesting questions about aging, immortality, and even identity, which we will address later in the FAQs. The implications are vast, and it’s this potential for lasting change that makes True Polymorph such a sought-after spell.

Limitations and Considerations

While incredibly potent, True Polymorph isn’t without its drawbacks.

• Concentration: Maintaining concentration for the duration, especially in combat, can be challenging.
• Saving Throw: Unwilling creatures get a Wisdom saving throw to resist the transformation.
• Stats and Abilities: You lose your original statistics and abilities and adopt those of the new form. This includes your class features, spellcasting abilities, and even your alignment (though most DMs will rule this morally gray and up to the player).
• Equipment: You do not gain any equipment from your transformation
• Dispel Magic: A well-placed Dispel Magic spell can undo all your hard work.

Understanding these limitations is crucial to effectively wielding the power of True Polymorph.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about using True Polymorph, designed to provide further clarity and insight into this incredible spell.

1. Can I use True Polymorph to turn into myself?

No, you can’t True Polymorph into yourself. You can however, change your gender, age, race, and class if you turn into another creature.

2. Can True Polymorph change my race?

Yes, changing race is possible, but not directly. You can’t simply declare “I want to be a drow!” Instead, you’d need to transform into a specific drow creature, like a Drow Priestess (CR 8), adopting their stats and abilities. You could turn a Male Human Fighter 20 into a Female Human Fighter 20, but you would also have to take into account all the other abilities of the creature you are turning into.

3. What happens to my class features when I True Polymorph?

You lose all your original class features and gain the abilities and statistics of the new form. This is a crucial point to remember. You become essentially that creature, not just a reskinned version of your old self.

4. Can I cast spells while True Polymorphed?

No. Your previous features are lost when transforming. As the article states, you don’t retain any of your original features, including Spellcasting, and you only gain new class features from your new transformation.

5. Can I turn into a dragon with True Polymorph?

Yes! This is one of the spell’s most enticing applications. An Ancient Brass Dragon is a powerful choice, but remember to consider the CR limitations and the implications of adopting the dragon’s alignment and goals.

6. How do I make True Polymorph permanent?

Concentrate on the spell for the full 1-hour duration. Once the hour is complete, the transformation becomes permanent, unless the target is a shapechanger.

7. What happens if my True Polymorphed form dies?

The spell ends, and you revert to your original form. If your original form was at 0 hit points before the transformation, or you were killed by the damage, you will be at 0 hit points.

8. Can I True Polymorph into a Tarrasque?

No. The Tarrasque has a CR of 30, which is far beyond the spell’s CR 9 limitation.

9. Can I True Polymorph into a magic item?

No. The spell is not intended to create magic items. You can turn a creature into an object, but you can’t use True Polymorph to conjure powerful magical artifacts.

10. Can I True Polymorph into a legendary creature?

Yes! However, you do not gain the legendary actions, lair actions, or legendary resistances of the creature. You simply gain its standard statistics and abilities.

11. Does True Polymorph change my age?

Yes. You become the age of the transformed creature, which can have significant implications for lifespan and physical condition. If you want a younger version of yourself, use the 8th level spell clone.

12. Is True Polymorph better than Shapechange?

That depends on the situation. Shapechange allows you to retain your class features and spellcasting abilities while in the new form (if the form is capable). True Polymorph grants a wider range of possible forms and the potential for permanence, but you lose your original abilities. Shapechange also does not allow to change another creature.

13. Can a Druid learn True Polymorph?

Unfortunately, druids do not have access to True Polymorph. The spell is typically available to bards, warlocks, and wizards. Druids maintain their stats and abilities when wildshaped, but if you true polymorph you lose such things.

14. What is the strongest creature I can Polymorph into?

Once you understand how the spell works the most important decision you make is what form to select. While True Polymorph allows any creature, Polymorph only allows beasts, so this section will analyze available beast forms. Unfortunately, the highest CR beast is currently the Tyrannosaurus Rex at CR 8.

15. Can True Polymorph be dispelled?

Yes. Dispel Magic can end the effects of True Polymorph. This is why maintaining concentration is crucial, and why having contingency plans is always a good idea.

The Ethical and Narrative Implications

Beyond the mechanics, True Polymorph raises fascinating ethical and narrative questions. Is it right to permanently alter someone against their will? What happens to their memories and personality? Does a permanently transformed creature retain any of its original identity?

These questions can add depth and complexity to your campaigns, making True Polymorph not just a powerful spell, but a catalyst for engaging roleplaying and moral dilemmas. Furthermore, exploring these themes can enhance the overall storytelling experience and provide players with opportunities to consider the consequences of their actions. The Games Learning Society explores the many ways that people learn through the application of games and game-based principles. Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to read more.

In conclusion, True Polymorph is a transformative spell in every sense of the word. It’s not just about changing your physical form; it’s about altering your destiny, reshaping your identity, and unlocking possibilities that were once unimaginable. Master the rules, consider the implications, and unleash the metamorphic potential of True Polymorph in your next D&D campaign.